Frequently Asked Questions

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Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about visiting Bloedel Reserve.

If you don’t see the information you need, please contact Guest Services at 206-842-7631, x10 or you can email Guest Services.

We use a timed-entry ticketing system to make sure everyone has a peaceful experience and a place to park. To guarantee your spot, we recommend buying your tickets online ahead of time. If we are not sold out when you arrive, you can purchase tickets on-site but please note, a small surcharge does apply. If we are sold out, tickets will not be available to purchase. Book a Timed Ticket

No. A staff member will greet you at the front gate and ask for your name.

Walking the entire two mile trail loop takes about 2 hours. There are shortcuts you can take to make it a shorter route. There is a 3/4-mile paved accessibility route. We suggest you arrive no later than one hour before closing time. Once you’re in the Reserve, you are welcome to stay until we close.

Yes. Our Bloedel Reserve accessibility map describes both the full walking path and the paved route. Guests with limited mobility can access the highlights of the Reserve via a paved road. This route is approximately 2/3 of a mile round-trip. The road has a short hill with a 9% grade. Guests travel a downward incline at the beginning towards the Residence and walk up an incline on the return trip. Complimentary wheelchairs are available at the Gatehouse. We can also provide a ride on our wheelchair accessible golf cart from the Residence back up to the parking lot. Please call ahead or email us if you have specific questions about our accessibility accommodations. Guest Services staff are reachable from open to close, seven days a week, at 206-842-7631, x1o or by email.

Yes, the first floor of the Residence is often accessible to visitors. Depending on the season, the Residence closes an hour before the Reserve closes.

There are wheelchair accessible bathrooms available for guests at the Gatehouse and at the Residence, about halfway through your walk.

Visiting Bloedel Reserve is an outdoor experience. Please dress for the weather, rain or shine. In the event of closure due to inclement weather or hazardous conditions, all admissions are fully refunded.

Bloedel Reserve is situated at the north end of Bainbridge Island, at 7571 NE Dolphin Drive, 98110. Bainbridge Island is reachable by ferry from Colman Dock in downtown Seattle and by car from Kitsap Peninsula by crossing the Agate Pass Bridge, located just south of Poulsbo. Visit our Getting Here page to learn more.

Bloedel Reserve is open year-round, Tuesday-Sunday, rain or shine. Every season and every visit invites new discoveries. Hours may vary seasonally.

Visitor maps are available at the main entry at the Gatehouse. We offer maps translated into six languages: English, Hindi, Japanese, Simple Chinese, Spanish, and Urdu.

We welcome amateur photographers and artists in the gardens. You may use your personal cameras and folding tripod stands or monopod stands that can fit inside a standard backpack. Please use caution when using your photo equipment and stay on the trails. We love seeing your photos so tag us on Instagram: @BloedelReserve.

The use of drones is not permitted at the Reserve.

Professional photo shoots are available by permit only. Email our Events team for details.

Members of the press should call in advance to arrange for admission to Bloedel Reserve or to schedule a press event. Contact the Communications Manager.

We welcome engagements that take place while you are walking quietly on the grounds. In other words, there is no need to ask permission if you pop the question while you are here. However, for the sake of all of our guests, we do not allow large props, flash mobs, or other engagement-related productions.

To preserve our natural treasure for future generations, Bloedel Reserve allows minimal wedding bookings per year.  To learn more about this opportunity to celebrate your love story at the Reserve, visit our Weddings page.

Children are very welcome at Bloedel Reserve. Most of the Reserve is flat and the trails are well-defined with bark, so most children have no trouble walking the trails. Even many strollers can navigate the trails, although there are some trail sections with inclines that may be trickier. There is also a paved road running down the middle of the main part of the Reserve that is easily navigable by those using strollers or wheelchairs.

We love your furry friends but to protect the wildlife living in the Reserve, they are not allowed on site or in the parking lot. Registered service animals are allowed on the grounds–please alert Gatehouse Staff.

Visiting Bloedel Reserve is primarily an outdoor experience, so dress appropriately for the season during which you are visiting, bearing in mind temperature and the possibility of rain. Though heavy hiking boots are not necessary, we do recommend that you wear sturdy, closed-toe walking shoes.

To protect the wildlife who make their homes at the Reserve and reduce trash along the trails, picnicking is not allowed on the grounds.

Only tickets purchased through the Bloedel Reserve timed ticketing system will be honored. Tickets bought through private and/or third-party sellers are invalid for entry and non-refundable.

Ensuring our visitors have an amazing experience means there are a few things we cannot allow.

  • No picnicking.
  • No pets, other than service animals. Please speak to the Gatehouse attendant.
  • No climbing trees, picking flowers or berries, or removing rocks, sticks, flowers or plants.
  • No smoking, vaping, e-cigarettes.
  • No alcoholic beverages, drugs, or illegal substances.
  • No weapons of any kind.
  • No cremated remains.
  • No musical instruments or singing.
  • No camping equipment or toys.
  • No professional commercial or portrait photography unless you have a permit and have paid the fee. No drones.
  • No running or jogging.
  • No recreational or wheeled sports equipment: bikes, skateboards, scooters, skates, Segways, frisbees, balls, lawn games, skis, sleds, snowshoes, etc. Please note: Wheelchairs and strollers are welcome.
  • No admittance after hours.

If you are having trouble finding your email, search your spam or promotions folder to see if the confirmation email landed there. If you are still having issues finding the email, call Guest Services at 206-842-7631, x10.

We know that plans can shift, and we’re here to make the process easy and stress-free. If you’re unable to visit during your scheduled timed ticket slot, please reach out to Guest Services within 48 hours of your original arrival time. We’re happy to reschedule your entire party’s tickets for another available day and time within one month of your original booking (please note that partial exchanges aren’t available). Members, please let us know if you cannot make your timed ticket slot so we can release the tickets for other visitors.

What to do:

  1. Give us a call at 206-842-7631 x10 or email us. We’ll take care of the rescheduling for you—no need to rebook.
  2. If your desired visit time is coming up soon and we are unavailable on the phone or haven’t responded by email, purchase new tickets for the date/time that works best for you. We’ll gladly refund the original tickets if you provide the following information by phone or email:
    * The name on your original timed ticket
    * The date and time of both your original and new tickets
    * A phone number where we can reach you

Cancellations and no-shows are non-refundable.

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